Reproduction workshops still open

Press, 4 May 1984, Page 9

Reproduction workshops still open

Before organising the Third Animal Industries Workshop to be held at Lincoln College next week the organisers canvassed the industry on the topic — improved reproduction in South Island cattle herds — and got a favourable response. But now they are surprised at a seeming lack of interest. The workshop, to be held from May 9 until May 11, has separate sections for dairy farmers and beef cattle farmers. Workshop co-ordinator Dr Alastair Nicol, of Lincoln College Animal Sciences Group, said that before deciding on the topic, “we did our homework.” “We floated the idea and got a good response, and the dairy industry, in particular, thought improved reproduction was good and topical,” he said. Dr Nicol is still hoping for a flood of last-minute enrolments, and he said those wanting to attend could still send in registrations, or even phone the college. “An incentive for rushing in a last-minute registration is that an extra cow in calf this year would more than cover the costs of coming to the workshop.” Dr Nicol said he was still hopeful that farmers had their own reasons for not registering before now, and that the workshop would be as successful as earlier workshops. The two earlier animal industries workshops held last year and the year before attracted wide interest and good attendances. The first workshop was on parasite control, and last year’s was on lamb growth.